Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is unique by being the only protected area in the world harboring over 100 species of mammals and a variety of birds close to a capital city. As expected, the park covering 117 sq km is a principal attraction for visitors to Nairobi.

The park has a diversity of environments with characteristic fauna and flora. Open grass plains with scattered acacia bush are predominant. The western side has a highland dry forest and a permanent river with a riverine forest in the south. In addition, there are stretches of broken bush country and deep, rocky valleys and gorges with scrub and long grass.

Man-made dams have also added a further habitat, favourable to certain species of birds and other aquatic biota (life forms). These dams also attract water dependent herbivores during the dry season.

The park is an ideal starting point for ornithological safaris; it has a rich and diverse birdlife with 400 species recorded. However all species are not always present and some are seasonal. Northern migrants pass through the park primarily during late March through April.

Nairobi National Park is one of the most successful of Kenya’s rhino sanctuaries that is already generating a stock for reintroduction in the species former range and other upcoming sanctuaries. Due to this success, it is one of the few parks where a visitor can be certain of seeing a black rhino in its natural habitat.

To the south of the park is the Athi-Kapiti Plains and Kitengela Migration Corridor and dispersal area. These are vital areas for herbivores dispersal during the rains and concentrate in the park in the dry season.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

• Annual wildebeest and zebra migration in July/August
• Black rhinoceros
• Diverse birdlife
• Large predators- lion, leopard, hyena and cheetah
• Aggregations of large herbivores- eland, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest
• Ivory Burning Site Monument
• Walking trails at hippo pools
• Nairobi Safari Walk & the Orphanage
• Spacious accommodating picnic sites

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
Located only about 7 km from the city centre, the park is easily accessible on tarmac roads, mainly through Langata Road.

Park Roads:
There is an adequate administration and viewing road network with satisfactory signage.

Park gates:
The park has seven gates, the main gate at KWS headquarters, East Gate, Cheetah Gate, Langata Gate and Maasai Gate; Mbagathi and Banda Gate are service gates and therefore not used by tourists.

FACILITIES
There is no accommodation within the Park, but the city offers a wide selection of excellent accommodation to suit all visitor preferences. Many other tourist attractions are located close to the park, making it ideal for a day trip.

Picnic Sites:

• Impala Observation Tower
• Ivory Burning Site
• King Fisher Gorge
• Leopard Cliffs
• Mokoiyet
• Hippo Pool

Other attractions

• Lone Tree
• Directors tree planting site

Nature Trails:
The park has one nature trail at the Hippo Pool.